Excited to try and be mortgage free

hiddenshadow

That sounds horrible, PF. Our re-fix was very easy, aside from having to spend 2 hours on the phone going through all our figures again (even though nothing had changed in the intervening time except my job, and my salary goes in to FD so they know what I take home already).

I do find it frustrating that you can't see your balance online, but I've found signing up for text alerts helps. They're still delayed (go out daily around 7am), but it saves having to phone up every time to confirm that the payment's gone through. I've also signed up for the weekly summary which is handy for verifying that the current account has £0 at the same time that the mortgage account has gone down.

chumpy45

Hi PurpleFairy :hello: thanks for dropping in and your lovely comments and wow - hats off to you for persevering through all my ramblings. Will check out your diary too. Was really surprised to read of your problems with FD as they are usually so efficient and courteous, let's hope its a one off. I would love to have an on line mortgage account, I think it must be so motivating to be able to easily access your balance and watch it decrease !. No real money news. Read the gas and elec meters tonight - no I don't know why I have chosen to do it on the 5th of the month :rotfl: must have seemed like a good idea the first month I started. Electricity seems to have increased considerably this month. I am sure my Christmas nodding reindeer couldn't have used that much electric :rotfl: think it may be possibly due to have all the DSs home for the hols, a lot of tumble drier use, and lights on all over the place (despite my best efforts). Still, its been lovely having them all home but sadly DS1 and DS2 return to uni this weekend. DS3 has decided to call it a day with Uni this year. He has not enjoyed it all despite changing to a more local uni. I really feel for him, but sometimes things just don't work out the way we plan. He is going to take some time out, do some volunteer work to gain employability experience and then reapply for next year. This has turned into a very long post! NSD today - here's hoping for a few more this month. Almost the weekend folks ...:T

chumpy45

Another NSD :T The venue for DS4's choir rehearsals has been changed and is no longer in the town centre - so no temptation to wander around the shops whilst waiting from him. I also arrived a little late to pick him up and didn't have time for my usual 50p coffee from the stall. Win, win.

chumpy45

Oops have been neglecting my diary this year, but not my MSE efforts. Have OPd £500 so far this year, making the outstanding balance as of today at £36,584.00 :j Next month should see us in the 35s which is exciting. Have also amended the regular OP a little to a round £500/month and then will keep adding to this as and when. Have just renewed car insurance saving over £55 on the renewal quote. Have also reduced the pet insurance for the dog from a renewal of £32 to just over £10/month :T The savings have been diverted to the extra regular OP. Half term is whizzing by much too quickly as usual. DHs birthday today so cooking roast beef at his request. Cheaper than a meal out so am happy to oblige :rotfl:

hiddenshadow

Well done with the OPs. 35s are super close!

DH's birthday is next week and he says he's fine with no celebratory meal. He is doing the Crystal Maze experience, so will still have something special. We'll probably go out to lunch at the weekend with vouchers.

chumpy45

NSD today apart from some milk which doesn't count as it comes out of "food" money and I'm still within budget for this week. Always seem to use more milk during the school holidays. DS4 went off to swim with a friend, but now uses his own pocket money allowance which he receives monthly. Great to see him being responsible for his own "spends" :T Doing some marking and preparation for next half term this afternoon (hence I am on MSE procrastinating and checking out diaries :rotfl:). Have just about finished what I set out to do - honest. Hope you've all had a good day.

chumpy45

Another NSD :j Have also just thought that due to the half-term break DS4 has had no piano lesson for 2 weeks, as well as no singing lesson - I feel another OP coming on :rotfl:

chumpy45

Following a recent energy switch to Sainsbobs Energy, was having a little nosy on my on-line bill and found my latest bill estimated at £2500 :eek: This prompted a very urgent phone call and spoke to a lovely, lovely guy who sorted it all out (initial start meter reading was incorrect and system had done a wild and whacky estimate !). He then advised although we had Econ7 it was not financially worthwhile, so changed us to Single tariff and saved us £30 off the current bill :T Such a nice guy - great customer service does still exist at times. Hopefully another NSD, might even do a few more jobs in the garden if the rain stays away. Have a great Saturday everyone.

chumpy45

Another YouGov survey completed last night. This £50 seems very elusive. I feel as though I have been completing surveys for years and still only on 3500 points :rotfl: Will slowly get there! DS4 has just shown me a hole in his school shoe. The best time to show me of course, the final Sunday of half-term ! Now need to do an emergency shopping trip instead of the planned relax - don't you just love'em .......

hiddenshadow

It took me forever to reach payout on YG. At least the surveys are generally interesting (and the boring bits, like what tv show did you watch last Tuesday, are quick).